HMS York (Capt. Reginald Henry Portal, DSC, RN) was badly damaged on 26 March 1941 by 2 Italian explosive motor boats in a dawn attack at Suda Bay, north Crete. The motorboats, each packed with 300-kg (667 lb) charges in the bows, were piloted by MMI Lt. Cabrini and Tedeschi, impacted her amidship, flooding both boiler rooms and one engine room, causing her to settle on the bottom in shallow water.

The British submarine HMS Rover was dispatched from Alexandria to supply electrical power, but on 24 April the submarine was severely damaged by an air attack and the decision was taken to abandon any attempt at salvage. Wrecked by demolition charges on 22 May 1941, scrapped in loco 1952.

Notable events involving York include:

1937

HMS York entering New York harbour around 1937 / 1938.

Photograph with thanks to William Bell whose father Chief Petty Officer Thomas Bell served aboard HMS York at that time.
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3 Mar 1940HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) intercepts the German passenger ship Arucas (3359 GRT) of the south-east coast of Iceland in position 63°08'N, 14°42'W. However before the German ship can be captured she is scuttled by her own crew.

Photos with thanks to Bill Murray.

30 Apr 1940Evacuated Franco-British troops from Namsos, Norway, with HMS Devonshire, French cruiser Montcalm and 3 French transports. On conclusion of the Norwegian Campaign went to the Mediterranean and joined the 3rd Cruiser Sqn.

The convoy was not spotted and arrived safe at Malta on 11 October. The only damage sustained was to the destroyer HMS Imperial that was mined off Malta and was out of action for over 6 months.

While on the return trip the Mediterranean Fleet was sighted by an Italian aircraft. The Italian Navy tried to intercept them in the Ionian Sea. In the night of 11/12 October the first Italian torpedo boat flotilla with Airone, Alcione and Ariel attacked HMS Ajax. The attack failed and Ajax sank Airone and Ariel, Alcione escaped. A little while later the Italian 11th destroyer flotilla, with Artigliere, Aviere, Camicia Nera and Geniere arrived at the scene. They were surprised by the radar-directed gunfire from HMS Ajax. Artigliere was heavily damaged and Aviere was slightly damaged. Camicia Nere tried to tow Artigliere away but she was sighted by a British Sunderland aircraft that homed in 3 Swordfish aircraft from HMS Illustrious. However, the torpedoed they fired didn't hit the Italian ships. Later the British heavy cruiser HMS York arrived at the scene. Camicia Nera quickly slipped the towing line and sped off. After her crew had left the ship Artiglire was sunk by York.

While the Mediterranean Fleet was still on the return trip aircraft from HMS Illustrious and HMS Eagle attacked Leros and in the evening of the 14th the British light cruiser HMS Liverpool while south-east of Crete was hit in the bow by a torpedo from an Italian aircraft. The cruiser was heavily damaged and was repaired at the Mare Island Navy Yard in the USA. HMS Liverpool was not operational again until January 1942.